The development of a road in Karnataka’s Sandur district has led to environmental protests after the discovery that 1,748 trees are to be removed to make way for the new road.
The project is supposed to improve the region’s connectivity and ease of transport in the mineral-rich Ballari district, and environmentalists and local people worry about the long-term impact.
The road will contribute to the transportation of people and goods between villages and industrial towns and reduce travel time and help to promote economic development, officials said. Sandur, the city of iron ore mining and the forests in which it is located, has become more and more developed over the years.
But the planned felling of almost 1,750 trees has raised concerns among conservation groups. The removal of so many mature trees would ruin biodiversity, leave the green cover thin, and damage habitats for wildlife. Sandur is home to a number of birds, small mammals, and native vegetation dependent on the forest ecosystem.
Experts say large-scale tree cutting can lead to hotter temperatures, soil erosion, and less water recharge in soils. Trees support ecological balance by absorbing carbon dioxide (for better air quality) and preventing land degradation.
The loss of this green cover would have long-term environmental repercussions for the area.
Local residents have mixed views about the project. Some hope better roads will improve connectivity and business opportunities. But local residents say the authorities should consider alternate routes or redesign the project to minimize tree loss. Some community members have called for the government to conduct further environmental assessments before proceeding.
The government has said all necessary permissions are being obtained under forest and environmental regulations. And they said compensatory afforestation would be carried out in accordance with legal requirements.
New saplings are typically planted in established areas to replace the trees removed under such measures. But environmental groups say that newly planted saplings don’t provide as much ecological benefit as mature trees for decades.
The issue has once more brought home the problem for the state of balancing the development of infrastructure and environmental conservation. Karnataka is investing in road and transport infrastructure to bring about economic growth, but that is now being questioned; it is now a question of their environmental impact.
Sustainable engineering practices, saving old-growth trees where possible, and involving local people in planning can prevent damage to the land and environment, experts say. Environmental impact assessments on projects involving large-scale tree removal should be carried out before approval, they add.
Sandur road development is progressing; however, the question is how to achieve development without wasting valuable natural resources.
In the next months, we will know whether the developers will modify the project, improve mitigation measures, or continue to do the project as it is when faced with public concerns.
